The closure of a doggy day-care business in Queanbeyan has seen dog-owners from across the region growling about the lack of local services for their pets.
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Queanbeyan City Council ordered the closure of the unregistered Puppy Rampage, which had been operating for the past two years in a vacant shed at the Dog Obedience and Training Club at the Hoover Road Reserve.
The crown land is zoned for recreation and after a series of noise complaints, the council uncovered the private business, which had been operating without proper approval.
Puppy Rampage owner Marianne Wyatt said the business had been a project of passion, and a chance to put her formal qualifications in dog training and her love for animals to good use.
She had been shocked when the council ordered the closure of her business and said she didn’t realise she had failed to get necessary approvals to operate.
“They came on the Tuesday afternoon and gave me a verbal eviction notice really,” she said.
A council spokeswoman said, ‘‘Any other business that wants to set up in Queanbeyan requires approvals and registration before it can operate.
“This particular business was operating for around two years. However, previous inspections did not confirm that the business was being operated illegally.
‘‘The operation of a dog-minding business does not comply with the terms of the licence agreement with the Dog Obedience Club and does not comply with the zoning of the area.”
The council maintains it enforced standard regulations in this case and was surprised at the emotion and backlash that manifested online.
Puppy Rampage customers and social media followers posted their concerns to the web and made calls for Queanbeyan Council to better support small business owners.
Amid the heated cyber-throng, Ms Wyatt said she found it difficult to admit to her fervent supporters that she had failed to comply with necessary regulation.
“I felt devastated,” she said “I had 24 hours to get everything out.
“My customers are more distraught than I am. When I revealed that it was my fault, the support to get it up and running again grew.”
Ms Wyatt is an active volunteer with the Queanbeyan and District Local Dog Training Club and had operated her business from a vacant shed leased by the organisation from the crown.
It was Ms Wyatt’s professional skills and devotion to animals that drew Michelle Johnson to bring her dobermans Siloh and Dolcie to Puppy Rampage five days a week.
Michelle Johnson has been a long-time customer, and drives her from Belconnen to Queanbeyan for the dog day-care service.
“It’s been a life saver for us,” Ms Johnson said. “We have had threats from a nasty neighbour to harm our dogs and I don’t feel comfortable leaving my dogs at home when we are not there.”
With no notice about the closure of the day-care centre Ms Johnson said she found it difficult to make alternate arrangements.
Rachael Eggins said it would be near impossible to find a convenient and trusted service to care for her labrador.
“I wouldn’t leave my dog with just anyone but I am happy to leave him with Marianne, we trust her and she directs his behaviour,” Ms Eggins said.
“It’s just like a parent needing to know that their children are safe and they trust the operators of a child care centre.”
The council has been working with Ms Wyatt to find a location with appropriate zoning for her business.
Customers are steadfastly supporting the business, but Ms Wyatt said the locations were too far from town.
“They would love to see it up and running but there is no legal way that is close enough to town,” she said.
“They just want somewhere for their dogs to be safe for the day. I have great concern for some of these dogs and how their owners will manage.”
